North Dakota State Bison

North Dakota State Bison

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North Dakota State edge rusher Kyle Emanuel's "tape shows a combination of motor and skill that should be respected inside NFL buildings once he's studied closely," according to NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein.

"Emanuel has the leverage and hips to get under tackles and turn the corner, but his explosion off the snap will be tested," Zierlein wrote. "With his foot quickness and surprising lateral agility, there might be defensive coordinators willing to give him a shot as a 4-3 SAM linebacker." Emanuel ranks as the class' No. 9 edge rusher in Zierlein's eyes. He's coming off an utterly dominant season, posting 19.5 sacks. Emanuel was named First Team FCS All-American, Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year, and won the Buck Buchanon Award given to the FCS' top defensive player.

NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt reports that North Dakota State edge rusher Kyle Emanuel will workout for the Vikings and Steelers next week, and has received interest from the Eagles.

The 6-foot-3, 251-pound Emanuel received the 20th Buck Buchanan Award, as the FCS' most outstanding defensive player in 2014. Last season, Emanuel recorded 16.5 sacks and 27 tackles for loss, while adding in 70 total tackles, eight quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, and one interception for the Bisons.

North Dakota State edge rusher Kyle Emanuel was the "hot property" at the school's pro day last week, where he was was worked out at three separate positions, reports TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline.

The college defensive lineman went through defensive line drills and then worked as a linebacker under the instruction of the Philadelphia Eagles. According to Pauline, the organization believes Emanuel could play on the outside or in the middle of their scheme. In addition to all of that, the Jacksonville Jaguars put Emanuel through fullback drills. The versatile prospect has an official visit scheduled with the Pittsburgh Steelers and will work out for the Minnesota Vikings on Monday. The 6-foot-3, 251-pounder, who played in the East-West Shrine Game, is one of the FCS' best pro defensive prospects.

The Panthers put North Dakota State RB John Crockett through a private workout following his pro day.

Carolina has selected a running back in the sixth-round each of the last two seasons, but neither is still on the roster. Crockett is expected to be selected in that general area. He was a productive back at the FCS level, however, Crockett has a difficult time creating yards for himself and has limited speed. He jumps compared to weight were quite good.

North Dakota State's Kyle Emanuel and Michigan's Jake Ryan are the draft's most underrated outside linebackers, according to NFL Media analyst Charles Davis.

"Emanuel might project to defensive end for some teams, but was a very productive player for a team that won four consecutive FCS championships," Davis wrote. The 6-foot-3, 251-pounder, who played in the East-West Shrine Game, is one of the FCS' best pro defensive prospects. As for Ryan, the analyst noted that he doesn't have great measurables but instead has a nose for the ball. "He might be one of those high-energy guys that makes it very hard for a team to cut him," Davis wrote.

ESPN's Kevin Weidl believes North Dakota State junior QB Carson Wentz is "a player to watch for in 2016."

"Hard not to notice NDSU QB Carson Wentz [when studying film]," Weidl wrote. "Big strong kid with a presence. Effortless thrower." The 6-foot-6, 231-pound Wentz aces the eye test, and he's an early favorite to win FCS Player of the Year honors in 2015. During last season's 15-1 campaign, Wentz set school single-season records for passing attempts, completions, yards, and total offense per game. He threw for 3,111 yards with a 25/10 TD/INT ratio, and also broke NDSU's post-veer-option (1996) quarterback record with 642 rushing yards.

Scouts Inc.'s Kevin Weidl observes that North Dakota State senior RB John Crockett seems "hesitant" and is a "narrow based runner for a bigger back."

"Studying NDSU RB John Crockett and a little underwhelmed. Hesitant and narrow based runner for a bigger back. Vision isn't ideal either," Weidl tweeted. The North Dakota State prospect may get knocked for his upright running style, but he is dangerous weapon out of the backfield. The 5-foot-11, 217-pound Crockett does have the ability to be a work-horse. Crockett recorded 398 touches for the Bisons last season and started in all 16 games.

North Dakota State senior RB John Crockett "looked like one of the most draftable players on either roster during [Shrine Game] week," writes the Sporting News' Chris Kouffman

"Crockett is very strong and explosive into contact," Kouffman wrote. "He cuts well and shows good vision. Observers may be surprised by his speed, given his size. West linebackers were helpless against him during one-on-one coverage drills. It seemed that everything he tried against them worked." Crockett measured 5-foot-11 3/4 and 217 pounds with 10-inch hands at the event. While not an elite athlete, we like Crockett's silky movements while reading blocks.

North Dakota State senior RB John Crockett rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries in the school's 35-3 win over Sam Houston State.

He added another 66 receiving yards. Crockett has been highly productive during his time at NDSU, but his start was a bit delayed due to academic issues. He isn't overly impressive as an athlete, however, Crockett is very fluid when reading blocks to stay between the tackles or bounce outside. He will attend the East West Shrine game.

North Dakota State DE senior Kyle Emanuel accepted an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Game.

The 6-foot-3, 251-pounder has thoroughly dominated on a small stage over the past few seasons and is one of the FCS' best pro defensive prospects. He helped his cause by also terrorizing the Big 12's Iowa State earlier this season, posting nine tackles, four for loss, with two sacks and a fumble recovered. Emanuel has a non-stop motor but will have to prove he's athletic enough to hack it at the next level.

North Dakota State senior RB John Crockett accepted an invite to the East-West Shrine Game.

Earlier this season, ESPN's Todd McShay praised the small-school prospect, projecting him as a Day 3 pick. "At 6-foot, 215 pounds, he is a decisive runner with good vision and shows the ability to make quick cuts in traffic in addition to having a second gear," McShay wrote. Crockett has dominated on the small stage this year, running for 1,425 yards and 15 touchdowns on 271 carries across 12 games.

North Dakota State senior RB John Crockett projects as a Day 3 pick, according to ESPN's Todd McShay.

Crockett has rushed for 564 yards and seven touchdowns on 106 carries across five games. "At 6-foot, 215 pounds, he is a decisive runner with good vision and shows the ability to make quick cuts in traffic in addition to having a second gear," McShay wrote. "Crockett projects as a Day 3 pick."

North Dakota State QB Brock Jensen signed with the Dolphins on Saturday.

Jensen (6-foot-2 3/4, 223 pounds) led North Dakota State to three consecutive national titles. He's not the most physically gifted prospect, but he's smart, mobile (reported forty of 4.70) and has a decent frame. There are probably worse QBs to keep on the practice squad.

Miami selected North Dakota State OL Billy Turner with the No. 67 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

Turner (6-foot-5, 315) was the 2013 O-Lineman of the Year at D-IAA (FCS) and made 56 career starts. He became the Bison's starting left tackle as a sophomore, and didn't allow a single sack in 15 senior-year games. Turner has plus arm length (34") and athleticism (5.16 forty, 9-foot broad jump), and flashes a nasty temperament on tape. Described by Rotoworld draft guru Josh Norris as a "mauler," Turner best projects to right tackle or guard in the pros, and could eventually become a plus starter at either for the Dolphins.

ESPN's Louis Riddick notes that North Dakota State OL Billy Turner has made "huge improvements this off-season" to his technique.

Riddick mentioned Turner while making a bigger point about how problematic it can be for decision makers to see great workouts from draft prospects that might show better than the game tape. "Given the info that teams have on players that goes well beyond film eval, nothing should surprise when player value 'fluctuates,'" Riddick wrote. It's a good report to hear about Turner, a mauler who needed refinement. That he's already displaying it is great for his draft stock. Whether he can transfer those gains to the field remains to be seen, of course.